The top of the pops for the 2023 Ford Everest line-up is the newly named Platinum spec, replacing the existing Titanium model.
It lists at a big hefty $77,690 plus on-road costs, which makes it the most expensive Everest yet. But with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, 10-speed auto, 4WD and plenty of standard gear, it justifies its spot as a rival to the Toyota Prado.
The engine produces 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque, and has an official combined cycle fuel use figure of 8.5L/100km. Towing capacity, across all Everest models, is 750kg for an unbraked trailer, and 3500kg for a braked trailer.
Explore the 2023 Ford Everest range
Standard equipment for the Platinum model include 21-inch wheels (with optional no-cost 18-inch rims with all-terrain tyres, if you choose), matrix LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, tyre pressure monitoring, quilted leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third row, heated steering wheel, surround-view camera, 12-speaker sound system, and 12.4-inch digital instrumentation.
That’s in addition to a 12.0-inch portrait style media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat nav, keyless entry and push-button start, and plenty more.
Sadly though, Ford is asking customers to spend an extra $1750 for a towing kit, which should be standard on this grade. It includes a towbar and integrated electronic brake controller.
It has the same safety kit as the lower grades, consisting of high speed AEB with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, low-speed reverse AEB, a reversing camera, and front and rear parking sensors, along with nine airbags including full-length three-row curtain airbag coverage.